Category Archives: Balanced Life

So, I battle writer’s block. Each morning, I sit in front of the computer….. blank. Words haven’t flowed for two weeks. I blink…… to force back the tears…. the frustration….. the disappointment.

My friend’s words echo, “You can’t do it all.” I’ve sighed with each blink. Doing it all….. ha. All hasn’t been done in a long while. And thanks to the sermon on Sunday, I worry if I am not spiritually asleep. I fit the profile…. tired, tired, tired. Then that makes my heart break…… ((sigh))

Yesterday was no exception. I sat here and stared at the screen. Nothing came. I grabbed my camera and flew out the door hoping that the heat of this summer morning would inspire me.

Nothing.

Nope.

In fact, two minutes outside, already drenched, I headed back in to accept the fact words were not coming.

I visited those inspiring websites of other Christian women. Found nothing. I sought inspiration at the clothes line. God and I have so many good ideas out there. All I found was how quickly the clothes dried and how fast I got wet from the sweat.

This struggle so hard for me…..

I put the last clothespin on the line and walked over to the Diva Coop. There my girls are busy clucking and pecking.

Liz Taylor, the solid black hen, met me at the door. She is such a hoot to watch. She is the only one I have named so far. Liz Taylor suited her due to the performance she has everyday at the feeder. She lays back on her side and flaps her wing. She sends the others into the audience position. They watch and she performs until they have forgotten the feed and she can enjoy the feeder to herself. She’s good. Really she is…..

Before long all the girls have gathered near me. I wondered what life was like for a Diva Chick. Up at sunrise. Asleep at sundown. A great performance at the feeder. Then it struck….. much like my life.

I peaked into the nesting box of the coop. Found two perfect brown eggs. I sent out my usual, “Thank you, ladies” as I pulled out the two eggs. Another idea struck…. It isn’t the performance of the day that matters but what is produced.

Here recently, my “eggs” are cracked, malformed, and well, far from perfect. The thought of carrying on a plate several of my “eggs” shot chills into my heart. I can’t balance all those eggs on a small plate. They will fall and crack or break. Even with a basket, the weight of all those eggs will crack the ones at the bottom. Do I have a plate or too many eggs in my basket? Mark laughs at my big egg basket when I walk in with just one or two eggs in it. But they remain in perfect condition.

Sometimes in life we take things for granted…..like the sun rising in the morning. Other times we make a conscious decision to do things right to keep a goal. Have you ever thought about the forgiveness we are freely given? Can we take it for granted???

Nine years ago, when Mark and I devoted our lives, our children, and our home to the Lord, I remember a co-worker teasing me that the fun life I once knew was over. At that time, I didn’t know any better. My relationship with God paled compared to now. I had no real definition of fun, content, and joy. The only perspective was “worldly.”

So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun. Ecclesiastes 8:15

Last week, Mark, my son and I headed for our local Pizza Hut. Our daughter left us for her youth trip and I felt the pains of “being away from her.” I recalled the days of old. It started out with a walk down memory lane and the songs we would sing when our daughter was a tot. Our son cracked up. He thought it was hilarious that his parents had completely lost their minds.

And that my friends….. fueled the fire.

I don’t know if you recall the children’s song…..”Do your ears hang low” I will spare you the joyful noise I make while singing but the words go like this…..

Do your ears hang low

Do they wobble to and fro

Can you tie them in a knot

Can you tie them in a bow

Can you throw them over your shoulder like a Continental Soldier

Do your ears hand low

Of course there are hand motions that go along with this classic song. AND you sing faster each time you sing it.

So here we are driving down the road belting out the song and doing the hand motions. Faster. Faster and Faster. We were having a grand ole time. My hands and arms were flinging to and fro as fast as I could make them go. We sang louder and faster. Our son was busting out his seams!!!

My phone rang.

“SHHHH….. I have a phone call.” I yelped.

“Hello.”

“Regina, we just passed you. Is everything alright?” My dear friend saw my arms feverishly tying my ears in a knot and bow as passed each other along the road.

“Yes.” I busted out laughing

“Are you sure? You seemed like you were in distress with your arms all up in the air.”

I laughed harder.

Then I squeaked, “I was singing ‘Do your ears hang low'”

“Please tell me your son is in the car with you.”

Oh, I laughed so hard I almost made a mess of myself. When I got off the phone I tried my best to tell Mark the conversation. We both cracked up.

If you read my post on Arkansite.com yesterday, you would know that the golden rule is something we all need to remind ourselves of every once in a while. If you haven’t read it, jump on over and take a gander… I’ll wait until you get back…

…#1, funny huh?

Well, I was reading in my Bible last night and I ran across this little gem of a verse…

They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good. Titus 1:16

Immediately after I read this I thought about the whole “You’re #1” concept. I really had to hang my head in shame. Not that I told anyone that they are indeed #1, but I thought about how many times I have sported my cross decor (earrings, shirts, purse, shoes) and then was rude to someone, or whined about having to do something, or worse.

Eww..

I didn’t like that thought. Especially when the idea of God thinking I was detestable and disobedient. Then I thought about the times that I gossip.. those are the times that I don’t do anything good. I tend to hide away. I even “forget” to do my Bible study or meditation. If I really analyze my behaviors, I can see that I am in a deep pit of sin. God’s right, nothing good comes from me during those times.

((sigh))

But, here’s the beauty of it all.. I can ask for forgiveness. Just by asking, I put myself back on the right track. The tricky part is not to fall of the wagon. Is it just me or does anyone else have the problem of keeping tags on sinning? Sometimes, I wonder why God made me so human.

Well, I am in the middle of cleaning out a closet! Guess I better get back to work! Enjoy this very warm sticky Tuesday..

Call me crazy… Perhaps I am a glutton for punishment.. I don’t know… But I have a few things I need to soul search. Last fall, while preparing for our Lady’s Retreat, I fasted from caffeine and sodas. I lived on water for an entire month. Our theme was “the living water” and I felt it was appropriate to choose water as my beverage. I leaned on God for many things that month. If it wasn’t for Him, I would have never gotten up and going. The caffeine withdrawals alone were the worst. God got me through it.

Also, last year for Lent, I became vegan. I followed the Pope’s advice from like the 1400’s. I gave up milk, eggs, butter and yeast as well as breakfast for 6 weeks. It wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. Really, I noticed a big difference and I lost weight as well.

So this year, I am doing the Daniel Fast. Yep, I am.

See, Daniel (chapter 1) was selected to serve King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. The king ordered the handsome, fit and young men to be trained for 3 years before they could actually serve. Each day the men were given a set amount of food and wine from the king’s table. Daniel being the good guy he was, refused to violate his Jewish dietary customs. Now Daniel didn’t raise a stink nor was he rebellious. He simply asked for permission to only eat fruits and vegetables as well as water to drink.

Okay, here’s the cute thing… the trainer was worried that Daniel would not look healthy and would be under the wrath of the king. So, Daniel being the quick thinker he was, proposed a 10 day challenge. After the 10 days, Daniel looked healthier and better nourished than the other young men on the king’s (fast food/processed food) menu.

I’m sure Daniel had the same kind of argument in his head. “I wish I could have a Big Mac.” “What does one soda hurt?” The temptations must have been plenty. But Daniel held fast to his convictions. He fought the daily battle and won.. he looked healthier!

In Daniel 10, Daniel had grown older and wiser. God revealed a vision of what was to come. Daniel was so devastated that he went into a state of fasting. He did not eat choice foods, no meat nor wine for 3 weeks. Any foods that were desirable he refused to eat.

Now here’s the key… Daniel had faith that God would deliver him from the king’s wrath. He stayed on the straight and narrow. And yes, God did prevail. Daniel knew that it was God that would provide sustenance not the king’s tempting foods. Later in life, Daniel probably didn’t feel like focusing on his needs nor himself after God revealed the vision. He was broken and grieving. He used the self-affliction of abstinence to bear his soul to God. His prayer life heightened while fasting. God was the only pleasure he allowed himself.

There are several accounts of fasting throughout the Bible. Each time it was for a quest to get closer to God or to find out an answer to a conflict. It is amazing the dependence on God one obtains when striped of desirable foods. The thought of no meat, no eggs, no dairy, no sugar (or sweeteners), no tea (caffeine), no sodas, no yeast, no processed foods, no deep fried foods (chips), and no butter/ margarine makes me want to fall on my knees right now!! But the thrill of eating healthy (fruits, veggies, whole grains, unleavened bread, nuts, quality oils (olive oil) and water) plus depending on God for repentance, intercession, compassion and reward makes me tingle all over… maybe it is early withdrawals.. But any case, the adventure of this year’s Lent (beginning March 9) will be a worthwhile challenge.

Please pray for me as I prepare my mind and body for the changes to be endured. This is going to be a true challenge but as I know.. Anything is possible with God!!